The 2026 NFL Kickoff Game, marking the start of the new football season, will be played on Wednesday, September 9, between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks. The game is scheduled to begin at 8:20pm Eastern Time in the United States, which translates to 1:20am British Summer Time the following day. This match will be broadcast on TVNZ+ in New Zealand, and international viewers may use a virtual private network (VPN) to access the stream. In the U.S., the game will air on NBC and Peacock, while in the UK, it will be shown on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Action. In Australia, ESPN via Foxtel and Kayo Sports will carry the game, and in Canada, DAZN and TSN networks will provide coverage. The New England Patriots, who did not qualify for the 2026 Super Bowl, are expected to feature key players such as AJ Brown and Sam Darnold. The team has been working to improve its roster, signing AJ Brown and bringing back offensive lineman Will Campbell. However, the Patriots' early-season schedule is considered tough, with several high-stakes games planned right at the start of the season. The Seattle Seahawks, who beat the Patriots in the Super Bowl with a final score of 27-20, have experienced some changes. They lost Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III and offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. Despite these departures, the Seahawks remain a strong team, and new head coach Mike Macdonald has already conducted his first team talk, signaling the beginning of his tenure with the squad. This Kickoff Game is not only a significant event for both teams but also a highly anticipated matchup for fans around the world. With both franchises having a rich history in the NFL, the game promises to be a high-energy start to the 2026 season.